Background: Family history and its significance in Hispanic breast cancer cases with a known BRCA mutation has not been widely studied. Methods: Family history, BRCA mutation and age data were obtained for a subset of 91 individuals derived from the ELLA Binational Breast Cancer Study population, in order to determine the importance of family history in the context of BRCA mutation status. Results: A total of 8 different BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were found within the study population. Only 11 of the 91 participants (12.1%) were found to possess a BRCA mutation. Of these 11 women, 6 (54.5%) had a positive family history of cancer. This is greater than the expected percentage (23.5%) reported in the literature. Conclusion: Over half of those individuals that were found to have a BRCA mutation also had a positive family history of cancer. Therefore, family history is an important component when assessing breast cancer risk in populations of Hispanic women but can often be obscured due to limited family structure. Family history could be evaluated more effectively in the ELLA Study through the use of a modified questionnaire that probes for family structure.

Background: Family history and its significance in Hispanic breast cancer cases with a known BRCA mutation has not been widely studied. Methods: Family history, BRCA mutation and age data were obtained for a subset of 91 individuals derived from the ELLA Binational Breast Cancer Study population, in order to determine the importance of family history in the context of BRCA mutation status. Results: A total of 8 different BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were found within the study population. Only 11 of the 91 participants (12.1%) were found to possess a BRCA mutation. Of these 11 women, 6 (54.5%) had a positive family history of cancer. This is greater than the expected percentage (23.5%) reported in the literature. Conclusion: Over half of those individuals that were found to have a BRCA mutation also had a positive family history of cancer. Therefore, family history is an important component when assessing breast cancer risk in populations of Hispanic women but can often be obscured due to limited family structure. Family history could be evaluated more effectively in the ELLA Study through the use of a modified questionnaire that probes for family structure.

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dc.type

text

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dc.type

Electronic Thesis

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thesis.degree.name

B.S.

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thesis.degree.level

bachelors

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thesis.degree.discipline

Honors College

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thesis.degree.discipline

Physiology

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thesis.degree.grantor

University of Arizona

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